Dear Artslut Annie,
Thank you for your advice. I’m still not sure if its the right thing to do, using a varnish. Is it the standard choice for an artist to seal an oil painting or just a preference thing?

As for my selling out, its certainly nothing that I hate doing, but it does take a lot of my time and there is not a whole lot of thought going on when I do it. It does have a meditative quality to it, but so does working on a production line. The choice was driven by a need to make money so I guess thats where the “selling out” reference comes from.

Like your gekkos people find the paintings enjoyable. So, yes. There is satisfaction there. Its interesting that writers will often use a pen name when writing for the mass market, should painters do the same? Oh jeese here I go, apologies, to many questions. But seriously, there is risk to creating work that is solely decorative especially if your goal as an artist is to redefine the world.

 The Answer: As for the varnish - It’s not by any means, mandatory. Some artists like it for it’s protective quality & others use certain types to create a ‘wet look’, which is particularly fetching if you’re painting on masonite and can make your colors seem much more vivid. It can really set your work apart from a dull sea of oil on canvas, too. My suggestion is to try it, along with other various options, on a few, small test pieces. That way, if you buy small amounts, you’re not risking much, except your time.

I appreciate your questions, Sweets. No problem there. I would say you’re on the right track by trying to figure out what your goals as an artist are. Some do it for income, some to inspire political change, but at the end of the day, when you really boil it down, most artists are in it for love. What I mean is, they equate the acceptance of their work by society, as social acceptance of themselves. So, if your goal is to ‘redefine the world’, what would you like it to be? Happier? Kinder? You definitely need to make sure your work makes you happy too. So, maybe the answer is to split your time between work you feel is important to you and that which makes people smile. It’s true, ‘great art doesn’t have to match the sofa’, but guess what? If we expect someone to give us money for our work, they can match it to their hair, if they want to. See what I mean?

Making people smile, in my opinion (Yes, I know a bunch of brilliant, tortured artists are about to freak the f* out), is a GOOD GOAL. If your goal is to have your work shown in the Venice Biennial (this is for people who need world-wild love), perhaps it is a good idea to use a pseudonym for ‘happy’ works, but until you get a benefactor, there ain’t a damned thang wrong with paying the rent, by doing something you love. Anyone who tells you different, is probably just a Sour Grapes, Self Torturing artists or unqualified, self appointed Art Police, Poophead!

Art is a skilled trade that is (hopefully) executed with passion. In many ways, it’s the same as being a carpenter or culinary artist, but for some reason, a bunch of jack-asses got together & decided to poison the world with a bunch of ‘negative-mass-trans’ stigmas about it. Imagine, if culinary artists were expected to ‘make art for art’s sake’… We’d all freakin’ starve to death! Make the world a better place through spreading joy & beauty - both to yourself & to others, Hon.

Have a Beautiful Day, Annie

 The Question: Dear Artslut Annie,
I have recently been selling out by doing pretty landscape oil paintings. I was wondering if I should finish the pieces by sealing them with something? I know varnish is out, but is there another product that would be recommended?

thank you,
the disobedient muse

  The Answer: Dear DM,

Your question troubles me a smidge, because you say you’re ’selling out’. I guess, if you hate what you’re doing, maybe you’re right, but your name alone tells me that’s unlikely.  A few, ’sour grapes’ artists have been up my case, for years, because I made so many thousands of gecko sculptures & it’s true, it made me stop & think. After doing so, I decided that although making geckos os hardly a challenge for me, anymore - the fact of the matter is that they make people happy & that makes me happy. Plus, they’re willing to pay for them. So, we’re all winners. See what I mean, Jelly Bean? So, first thing I’ll say to you is, ‘If it feels good, do it. If it doesn’t, then stop it.’

Now that that’s out of the way, I’m wondering why you say that varnish is ‘out’. Protecting oil paintings is what damar Varnish is for & it’s available at any art supply store.

I hope I answered your question & soothed your concience about ’selling out’. You’ll find a whole lot more useful info like this, in my new book. I’m sending you an e-copy (please re-send me your email) just for writing in. Thank you. I hope you enjoy it & get the paperback version, right here on my site for all your friends for the Holidays. Take care, Sweetie! AA

People are always asking me, ‘How did this get started?’ Or, ‘How did you become the ArtSlut?’. So, I’ve decided it’s time to tell the story. It’s really long & weird. So, I’m going to do it in sections. I hope you like it. Feel free to ask me, if you have any questions.

 I was a poor black child, just kidding. I’m actually brown. I was always into something crafty. My first art gig, was when I was about 6yrs old. My dad used to take us on these miserable camping trips & make us be quiet, while he fished. So, I would spend that time collecting drift wood. I would then take it home & glue leaves & rocks & dead bugs to them & spray them down with Aqua Net & sell them to the neighbors down the street. Yes. I killed the bugs & No. I’m still not a serial killer… I didn’t torture them or anything, but somehow, I knew there was cash to be made in the arts & I was right. In 1976, I went to Six Flags over Mid America with $80.00!!! That was huge & a career was born.

 When my parents split, I started spending a lot of time alone. My dad had been an artist & I missed him terribly. So, I wanted to be just like him & started to paint & draw. I was trying & it wasn’t going that well, but I wanted it SO bad & I’m a Taurus. So, I’m very determined. When I was started the 4th grade, my art teacher, Mrs. Campbell, was beautiful & talented (sad for her, her son was ‘that kid’ who always ate glue - Gross!). Anyway, she was kind enough to give me this great watercolor of a strawberry she did & naturally, I took it home & told my mom it was my work. She still has that painting to this day. I can’t believe she didn’t kick my butt for lying.

 As I got older, I knew I wanted to do something creative for a living, but of course, saying you want to be an artist, in Mid Missouri, is stupid. It’s like saying you want to be a rock star, Talk about no respect! It didn’t help that we were poor & weird either, but I was determined. Unfortunately, the art instructor was a basketball coach - you know the dealio. In order to be a coach at many high schools, you have to teach a class. So, they stuck him in art, because they thought it was so unimportant, any nit wit could do it. I’m still ticked off about it to this day, but I appreciate the fire that it gave me. See, he only respected & gave good marks to perspective drawings & if you’re reading this site, I’ll bet you know that’s not what creativity is about.

Anyhoo, that’s the early story… More to come like, the ‘escape to Mexico’, ‘the jewelry gig’,  ‘meeting some ART SLUTS’, posing naked & ‘You’re not an artist’… All next time.

 The Question:

Hi Artslut, I hope you can help. I’ve been painting as a hobby for years and I keep getting told by friends that they are good enough to sell. As a “closet artist”, how do I put my stuff out there and maybe even make a name for myself? It’s a huge risk but I feel I’m ready to go for it. I’ve never been to art school or have any business sense, so I don’t know where to start.

 The Answer:

Hmmm… How to start out of thin air… So, it’s cool that your friends dig your work. Have you sold any to them? First things first, assign a value to your pieces by seeing what comparable work SELLS for - not what’s just hanging forever, in galleries. The right price is what the market will bear, you know. Then, put together a body of work, at least 10 pieces and make sure they’re professionally finished (framed or gallery wrapped). Next get together images & start sending out requests for information to galleries, as to their submission guidelines.

Meanwhile, send a price list and images of available works to interior decorators and businesses that may be interested in your work. Consider your subject matter and where it would work best. Be sure to offer wholesale (50%), when it’s appropriate and when you sell to individuals, sell it at retail so as not to compete with your reps.

A good way to start is in group shows or to conceive of an event where your work can be featured. Perhaps you could host a garden party and sale, benefiting a non-profit. Charge an entry fee and give them a portion of your proceeds. It makes great press, does a good deed & gets your name out there, which will help you get into galleries.

 You’ll find TONS more info on this subject in my book & I’m sending you an e-copy, in thanks for the question. Be sure to get the paperback for all your artsy friends! It’s available right here, on this site! Thanks, Barb

The Question:

Dear Barb, I’m tired of seeing artists who suck get ahead faster than me. So, I’m taking your advice & learning to market myself. Can you give me some more advice on writing press releases? I’m intimidated and feel wierd writing about myself. Thanks!

  The Answer: Well certainly, Intimidated. Good thinking! You’ll be so glad you learned this & the awkwardness will go away PDQ. Here are some helpful hints for getting free love from the newspapers:

Consider timing, first. The best time to do it is when you have an upcoming show or are participating in an art event, but anything newsworthy will work—if your artwork ties into a political or cultural cause, for example, or if you’ve just started (or finished) a HUGE project that people will find interesting or unique. The truth is you’ve got to be newsworthy & ‘I just finished a painting’ ain’t good enough.

Next, find a writer if you’re really uncomfortable doing it yourself (better). You can EASILY go online & find a template to help you. Many papers take the format very seriously. So, I highly recommend you do. Remember, editors are busy, and they’re always on deadlines—your story may not get printed if it means assigning someone to write it. However, if you can come up with one that’s well-written and error-free, they’re likely to just print it as-is.

Start with the facts
Above your article, in the upper left corner, include the title of your show or event, contact name, and the date and location of the show (the basic info). Include “for immediate release” if your event or show is coming up soon.

Use an attention getting headline
It’s important to grab them in the first sentence. This is where you can make or break the entire article. Ask a pointed question, make a strong, funny or controversial statement. Do whatever it takes and once you have their attention, tie it in with your art.

Write in third person
Write about yourself, not AS yourself—never use “I” or “me” unless it’s a quote. And do use quotes to make it seem more real and personal. Don’t feel weird about quoting yourself. . . since you’re writing in third person, no one but you will know.
Keep it short

Three to five paragraphs with no more than five to six lines each is best: the first to open and gain attention, the middle to talk about your art and event, and then to wrap things up. You may want to include a BRIEF bio as well. If the newspaper wants more, they’ll ask you or assign someone to write a larger article about it.

Include photos and contact info
Attach two or three relevant photos at 300DPI. They could be you, your work or an event shot. Also, include current contact information, both in the press release verbiage and in closing. Usually an email address, website and phone number are accompanied by the words ‘Photos and B Roll available’ - if applicable.

Leave no errors behind
Spell-check, spell-check, spell-check. And while you’re at it, look for grammatical errors and factual errors too. The last thing you want to do is give the wrong date, place, or time for your event.

Plan ahead! Contact the papers and TV stations, for that matter, weeks in advance and ask them the best means of submitting a press release and who to direct it to. It is MUCH better to address a specific person, than general mail. By calling, you may even be able to build a rapport with that person and pique their interest about your story.

Remember: ArtSluts don’t buy ads. We make news! You can do this. Put on your thinking cap (ART SLUT hat) and brainstorm a way to combine your art with a good cause. Donate the reproduction rights (for a limited time or quantity), to a good cause for example. That’s newsworthy and doesn’t hurt you - since you get to keep the original and now everybody knows it exists…. See what I mean, Jellybean? Don’t be Intimidated. Find out more by reading my book! I’m sending you a digital copy as thanks for your question. Enjoy!